Little-Known Energy Savers at Home

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Apr 26, 2010; Category: Energy Conservation; Tags: Energy Conservation; Comments: Be the first

Increasing the world’s energy efficiency and conserving energy are critically important – these practices will help ensure that our supply of fossil fuels lasts longer, reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere and save consumers money. Saving energy at home is a simple way you can help this global initiative.

Most people know common energy-saving tips like turning off the water while brushing teeth or shaving and turning off lights when they’re not being used. But there are lots of lesser-known practices you can try at home to reduce your energy consumption. For example, you can turn down the thermostat on your water heater. Many water heaters are set to 140 degrees F/60 degrees C when 120 degrees F/49 degrees C is usually hot enough. Also, check the settings on your dishwasher and make sure the heated drying is turned off. Letting your dishes air dry can save 20% of your dishwasher’s total electricity use. And you may have never paid attention to the gaskets around your refrigerator door – but you should! Making sure the gaskets around your fridge and freezer doors are tightened and clean can ensure that your fridge is operating at peak efficiency.

These are just a few of the tips you can learn by reading Energy4me’s energy conservation section – you might be surprised by all the ways you can save energy at home!

Earth Day Turns the Big 4-0

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Apr 19, 2010; Category: Energy Conservation; Tags: Earth, Energy Conservation, Environment; Comments: Be the first

Earth Day (held every April 22) is the perfect time for people all over the world to celebrate the planet. And in 2010, Earth Day is celebrating a milestone of its own—its 40th birthday! The eco-friendly event debuted in 1970, after Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin suggested starting a day devoted to teaching people about the importance of protecting the environment. News of the first Earth Day spread across the country, and millions of Americans participated. As the years have gone by, Nelson’s vision has reached a global scale, with more than 100 different countries participating every year! Earth Day activities vary around the world—from college campus demonstrations to recycling drives to clean-up events—but all are dedicated to the same goals: a healthy environment, clean energy options and a greener future. 

Deciding on a college major? Think petroleum engineering.

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Apr 16, 2010; Category: Education outreach, Engineering Careers, Technology; Tags: Careers, Engineering, natural gas, oil, Petroleum, Student; Comments: Be the first

Choosing a college major can be daunting. There are many unknowns. Will I like it? Will it be hard? Will I have a life outside of school? Will I find a relevant job when I graduate?  You’ll ask many of these same questions again when you enter the workforce.

Here’s some information on a career you may not know much about: petroleum engineering. As the world’s demand for energy grows, so does the demand for petroleum engineers. And with many current engineers approaching retirement, there is a greater opportunity for fast advancement.

The U.S. News and World Report just released an article on the 10 jobs with the greatest return on investment. (And let’s face it, attending a university can be expensive!) As you probably guessed, petroleum engineering made the top 10.

So what is a petroleum engineer? While there are a variety of job descriptions for petroleum engineers, they all serve one function—to provide the world with energy, while protecting the environment.

Petroleum engineers use cutting-edge technology to locate, recover, and maintain the world’s oil and gas supplies. Most careers in petroleum engineering involve a combination of office-based and advanced, computer-oriented technology work. Plus, petroleum engineers typically have opportunities to travel across the globe for a variety of work-related projects.

Petroleum engineers will lead the way into the future and will have the opportunity to truly make a difference. See more about petroleum engineering careers on the Energy4me.org website.

A Day at the (Geothermal) Spa

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Apr 8, 2010; Category: Energy sources; Tags: Earth, Geothermal, Renewable; Comments: One Comment

Geothermal energy is used for more than just generating electricity and heating buildings—it also creates the perfect conditions for therapeutic hot-water bathing! Several spas around the globe have tapped into clean, reliable, renewable geothermal energy to help visitors relax for a weekend. Some even claim that their special water temperatures and mineral compounds can treat certain medical conditions.

People have bathed in natural hot springs for centuries—ancient Romans even made impressive indoor spas using geothermally heated water. Many geothermal spas today are in luxurious settings with modern amenities attracting even celebrities and dignitaries.

One of the most popular geothermal spas today is Blue Lagoon, located on a lava field in Iceland. This beautiful spot features bathing spots with seawater at an average temperature of 104° F/40° C that is rich in minerals like sulfur and silica. (The water even reportedly has medicinal benefits, helping relieve certain skin conditions like psoriasis.) The lagoon’s water comes from a nearby geothermal power plant, where superheated water is piped from the ground near a lava flow and then used to turn turbines that generate electricity. Steam and hot water then pass through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. The water is then fed into the lagoon to bathe in.

Piestany Spa in Slovakia traditions go back nearly 200 years. The spa was originally used during wartime to treat wounded soldiers. Today, the thermal mineral water and sulfuric mud from the region’s sulfuric springs is used to treat musculoskeletal disorders, such as rheumatism, and other medical conditions through therapeutic and relaxation techniques. The water wells up from 2 meters/6.5 feet below the surface with a constant temperature of about 154° F/68° C.